New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-10
PROTEST FROM TR4VELLLNG ACTORS.


! THE RESTRICTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE LAW 1T IS
DECLARED WILL RUIN THEATRICAL BUSINESS.
CHICAGO, April 9-The managers and other represen-
tatyes of the different theatrical interests meta Hooeys
Theatre today take action designed to avert the dis
asrous effects to travelling panes bv the Interstate
railroad law Colonel McCaull occupied the CHAIR, ana
about thirty other AMI representatives OF df
feren theatres in Chicago present c. H. MCCONNELL
read the report OF the committee appointed at Thursdays
meeting, which recommen ded that permanent orgaui-
cation be effected for the purpose OF carrying on vg0r
Gus fight for existence The name recommended for the
organization the National Amusement Protective
Association, to have its headquarters In Chicago. The
committee also presented memorial petition, to the
Railroad Commission Copies OF this are to be
every theatre and theatrical company In the
country with instructions for each empoye or member
or any person interested In welfare OF the theatrical
profession mail the secretary or the Interstate
Commission at Washington. The result or putting TINS
plan operation the committee said. would be that the
Commissioners would have 10000 petitions day
pouring them. The report OF the committee was
adopted. David Henderson was chosen president and
Charles II. Williams secretary.
The petition which will be sent 10 the Railroad Commits
sion that the provisions OF the new law as applied
TO the amusement profession be suspended for twenty
days for the that all existing contracts beweed
travelling companies and local managers were entered
into before the law passed The petition also asks
the commission interpret the law as to permit rail-
road companies to reduced rates for theatrical
parties OF not less than ten persons and to increase the
allowance OF baggage with CONCESSIONS for carloads OF
scenery The petition thus presents the situation as 1t
affects the theatrical business:
There about 500 organized combinations constantly
travelling dnculng clrcuses which employ In the aggre-
gate upward OF 10000 adults. There are upward OF
1900 theatres opera houses and places of amusement IN
the United states. giving employment ~ about 10000
persons These local amusement places could not exist
nor any return the immense capital invested therein
bad through the cooperation or the 300 travel
ng combinations playing engagements throughout tue
year the respective houses There are nj least 2oooO
persons employed In collateral branches mainly depend
dent upOn business so-calei such as printers.
costumers posters scene painters manufacturers OF
and mervbandse GENERALLY IL Is rea-
souable assuup on that there are 10000 people VINO
dependent for their support upon the la0ors osthe
IS adults above mentioned being employed In the
amusement profession. IL Il estimated that inc
amount OF money paid by the amusement companies an
nuly To The railroad cop panies upward OF $500 900.
Under the Interstate Commerce law this amount would
DO by at least S2UOOOOO provided the same
number persons travelled heretofore with the same
of baggage, scenery, eicl This Increased ex
pcnse represents than the aggregate prOnt of
all the leading amusement enterprises combined